Ukraine's Deputy Health Minister, Chief Medical Officer Viktor Liashko has said many lives were saved thanks to the quarantine introduced in Ukraine.
"I will never be ashamed in my life that we introduced quarantine restrictions in March. We have saved the lives of hundreds, tens, perhaps, thousands of people," he told Ukraine 24 TV channel.
"Today, the healthcare system is not at all the same as it was in March. It is ready to provide medical assistance to everyone who requires it," the official said.
Read alsoHealth minister rejects new lockdown in UkraineLiashko reiterated Ukraine recorded only isolated COVID-19 cases in the spring while Europe was facing collapse because of the growing number of cases.
"March, April – we see isolated cases all over the country, we see Western Europe's healthcare system collapsing. Their healthcare systems have nowhere to bring and hospitalize people, the virus is new, it is not known how it will behave, all countries are taking unprecedented measures," he added.
Quarantine in Ukraine: Background
- The adaptive quarantine was introduced on August 1. The Ukrainian regions were split into the green, yellow, orange, and red zones depending on hospital bed occupancy, the average number of PCR and ELISA tests, the ascertainment rate of COVID-19, and daily spread dynamics.
- Quarantine-related curbs differ in each zone. The mildest ones are in the green zone, the regions included in the red zone will have to introduce the toughest restrictions.
- Updated quarantine zoning became effective in Ukraine on August 17. Kyiv became part of the yellow zone.
- On August 26, the Cabinet of Ministers extended the adaptive quarantine until November 1.
- On September 10, the government reviewed the borders of COVID-19 quarantine zones. The reviewed zoning regulations will take effect on Monday, September 14. Kyiv became part of the orange zone, with the second-toughest bans after the red zone.
